The Megillah teaches that Haman could not bear to see Mordechai fail to bow before him (Esther 3:6). However, it was “beneath his dignity” for him to hurt Mordechai alone, so he instead devised a plan by which Mordechai’s entire people would be extinguished for the actions (or, really, inactions) of one man.
HaRav Yaakov Neiman, Z’tl, in the Sefer Darchei Mussar teaches that we see how far a middah ra’ah--a bad middah--can lead. Haman’s arrogance led him to be angered at the failure of one of thousands of passersby to not bow, and the anger spiraling from the very same act led to his call for the extermination of a people worldwide. The Anshei Knesses Hagedolah, recognizing this, in turn, instituted the Mitzvah on Purim of Mishloach Manos. Why? One would think that the act of sharing prepared foods is a nice gesture, an act of kindheartedness to a neighbor, friend, or (better yet) acquaintance who you do not know very well. However, it is really much more than that. For, just as a middah ra’ah can burgeon into destruction of a people--a middah tovah can blossom into an act that causes an entire people to flourish. The Mishloach Manos that you have in your hand at any particular moment--with the honor, the love, the feeling, that is associated with it may be the plateful or container that brings geulah and yeshua to an entire people. We may be desensitized to the great importance of even our “smaller” good deeds or middos. This is simply so because we don’t appreciate their truly enormous significance. HaRav Neiman points out that Shlomo HaMelech, the wisest of all men, writes, “Ner Hashem Nishmas Adam (Mishlei 20:27)--the Neshama of a person is actually a ner of Hashem.” Even the smallest human candle can shed much needed light in a dark area. Now imagine what the **candle of Hashem** can accomplish--and we each--every single one of us--have it within us!
This Purim, as you purchase, prepare give, take, distribute, leave, and exchange each one of your Mishoach Manos with the proper emotion, feeling and intent--think about what Haman did and where he wanted it to lead--and what you are doing--and to where it can lead!!
Important Numbers
